Display stand



Nov. 4 1924. 1,514,055

H. c. LAWSON DI SPLAY STAND Filed Nov. 6, 9 .2 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATIORNEY Nov. 4 1924. 1,514,055

H. c. LAWSON DISPLAY STAND Filed NOV. 6, 922 2 sheets sheet 2 Kala/415020 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES HARRY G. LAWSON, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

DISPLAY STAND.

Application fi led November 6, 1922. Serial No. 599,326.

To all whom-it may concern:

Be it known that I, T-TARRY C. LAWSON, a citizen of the United States. residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Display Stands, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to display devices and has for its object the provision of a novel step like display stand adapted for use in show windows, stores and other places for supporting and displaying articles of various kinds, the device being of such construction that it may be folded up into compact form so as to occupy but little space in transportation or storage.

An important object is the provision of a stand of this character which as above mentioned is of step like formation and which includes treads and risers hingedly connected and provided with hinged upright supports adapted to be connected to form a rigid structure capable of sustaining whatever weight the device is constructed to hold.

An additional object is the provision of a display stand of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to set up or fold, efiicient and durable in use and a general improvement in the art.

"With the above and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in set up position,

Figure 2 is a rear view thereof showing by dotted lines the folding action of the side supports,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another form,

Figure at is a rear view thereof,

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section.

Referring more particularly to the drawings T have shown my device as comprising a step like structure including a series of plates 10 and 10 constituting the treads and other plates 11 and 11 constituting the risers, all of these plates being hingedly connected as shown at 12. The hinges 12 are in the nature of rule j oints, that is they will prevent relative swinging of the plates 10 and 11 through an are greater than 90 the purpose being to hold the plates in position at right angles to one another.

Hinged upon the ends of the tread plates 10 are side supports 13 which are of progressively di'll'erent lengths as clearly shown so that their lower ends will all be in alignment when the device is set up and so as to define the step structure. These side plates 13 are hinged to the plates 10 by hinges lat which are similar to the hinges 12 and which likewise prevent swinging beyond a right angle. The two longest side plates hinged to the upper tread member carry hooks 15 for a purpose to be described. Hinged upon the ends of the riser 11 shown at 14 are end members 13 which carry base bars 17 on which are eyes 16 engaged by the hooks 15.

When the device is set up as shown in Fig ure 1 it is apparent that it is highly advantageous for display purposes as many different articles may be supported upon the tread members and be clearly exhibited in an at tractive manner well calculated to attract trade. One of the important uses is that the device is particularly adapted for use by florists in displaying potted plants though other uses are of course obviously possible.

When the use of the device is not desired the hooks 15 are disengaged from the eyes 16 and the side plates 13 are then swung upwardly or into engagement against the an derside of the tread plates 10 as indicated in Figure 2. The members 13 are swung inwardly against the riser 11*. The plates 10 and 11 are then folded upon the hinges 12 to lie one upon another as will be readily understood and it will be apparent that when this collapsing has been effected the device will occupy very little space and will consequently be convenient for shipment or storage. It the material used is sheet aluminum/it is apparent that the device will be verylight so that it might be carried in a suitcase by a commercial traveler and set up for the adequate display of his wares or samples.

In Figures 3 to 5 l have shown a modified form of the device which is designed particularly for use in drug stores and the like for displaying small articles though of course the use is not limited.

In these two figures I have shown the device as consisting of a series of risers 18 hingedlv connected with tread members 19 as for instance by means of strips of cloth 20 which are glued or cemented in place and which are sufliciently flexible to permit swinging action. Similarly hinged by strips fZl'o-n the ends of all but the lowermost of the tread nrembers 19 are end members 22 which are of progressively increasing lengths so that when set up there will be a step like formation. Attached at 23 onthe ends of the lowermost riser 18 are horizontally extending side meml e s 24 which are preferably constructed of metal and which have their lower edges formed with retain ing flanges 25' which receive the lower ends of the end members 22 for holding them against displacement and maintaining the entire device in set up position. The mate- 'rial may of course be cardboard or any other n'laterial of a sheet like nature and the finish may be as plain or elaborate as desired to meet the circumstances and conditions in the individual instance in which the device is'used. V

\Vhile l have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention it is of course'to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

A display standof the character described comprising a plurality of v t'll ateshingedly connected at their longitudinal edges and constituting the treads and risers of a step formation, end members attached to the ends of the lowermost riser and carrying U-shaped rearward extensions, and other end members hinged upon the ends of the treads of all but the first step and having their lower ends disposed within the troughs of said rearward extensions to secure a bracing action for the former.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

HARRY o. LAWSONg 

